The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is a landmark international treaty that was signed by 195 countries in 2015. The aim of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.
Turkey is one of the signatories of the Paris Agreement. The country signed the accord on April 22, 2016, and ratified it on November 4, 2016. Turkey`s commitment to the Paris Agreement is significant, as the country is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. According to the World Bank, Turkey`s greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 were around 480 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Turkey`s decision to join the Paris Agreement was not without controversy, however. In 2017, the Turkish government announced that it was considering withdrawing from the treaty. The announcement came after the United States, under President Donald Trump, announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Turkey`s rationale for considering withdrawal was that the country was classified as a developing nation under the treaty, which meant that it was not required to make significant emissions reductions. Turkey argued that this classification was unfair, given the country`s status as a rapidly developing economy.
Despite these initial concerns, however, Turkey ultimately decided to remain a part of the Paris Agreement. In 2020, the Turkish government announced that it would strengthen its commitment to the Paris Agreement by setting a target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 21% by 2030, compared to 2016 levels.
In conclusion, Turkey is indeed a signatory to the Paris Agreement, and has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the treaty`s objectives. While there have been concerns about Turkey`s commitment to the accord in the past, the country has ultimately decided to remain a part of this important international treaty. As the world continues to grapple with the urgent threat of climate change, it is essential that all nations work together to address this global challenge.
